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15
For the guidance of the Medical Visitors, a code of regulations was drawn up
—a copy of which I have already had the honour to lay before you; whilst
handbills containing instructions to the public, precautionary against Cholera, as
well as for the management of the sick and sick room in that disease, were printed
ind freely circulated amongst the poor.
To guard against the danger of the use of impure water from surface wells,
Stand-Posts supplied by the AVater Companies have been eretfed in various poor
localities, which have been much appreciated.
The above forms a brief summary of the steps which I have felt it my duty
to take for the prevention and check of this formidable disease; and although I
have to report that various parts of the Parish have been attacked by the
Choleraic poison, I am happy to state that the measures adopted in each have
appeared successfully to mitigate its severity and check its spread.
The Medical Visitors have severally supplied me with a Daily Return of
the cases coming under their care, together with a Weekly Summary of the
same. Under my instructions a record also has been kept, and duly made to me of
the general treatment adopted by the Medical Visitors in the various cases coming
under their care,—a feature which I hope to utilize for the public good at no
distant period.
These temporary arrangements have now been suspended, in the hope that
the necessity for their existence has passed away, but, with sucl a subtle enemy
as Cholera, it is well to look ahead, and be prepared at any moment to take action
should it threaten a re-appearance.
The good effects arising from the early treatment of premonitory Diarrhoea
have been most marked,—for although a very large number of cases have been
dealt with, the mortality of the Parish from this cause has been almost
nominal.
The expense incurred, though large, is inconsiderable compared with other
Parishes similarly situated ; whilst it is to be hoped that the saving of human life,
and the preservation of the general sanitary condition of the Parish, may be
considered worth the sacrifice alike of labour and of money. The total mortality
from Cholera has been 31,—of which 4 occurred in Queen Street, 4 in Paradise
How, 1 in Trafalgar Street, 1 in Hope Place, 2 in the Creek, 1 in Brook Green
Lane, 3 in A harf Road, Latymer Road; 4 in Lavinia Terrace, Starch Green;
4 in George Yard, Broadway; 3 in the Lower Mall; 1 in Banner's Yard ; 1 in
Heath's Place, Uxbridge Road; 1 in Bridge Street; and 1 in Plantation Place,
Starch Green.
To the Medical Visitors, Messrs. Aldersox, Barnes, Fennxsgs, and
Tenison, I feel deeply indebted for their prompt and considerate co-operation,
whilst I have been compelled largely to avail myself of the service of my son, Dr.
F. J. Burrge, in accordance with the power vested in me by the Board. I feel
bound also to bear my testimony to the willing aid afforded me by Messrs. Slater
and Hubbard, the Inspectors of Nuisances, on several occasions fraught with
much personal danger of infection.
In the execution of the onerous and responsible duties which have devolved
- upon me, duties which for many weeks have well nigh occupied the greater portion
of my time, I have conscientiously endeavoured to guard the general interests of
the District, and to carry out the wishes of the Board in accordance with the
necessities of the moment, honestly and sincerely.
I append a Cholera Map hereto, showing the localities which have been
affected by the disease, with the number of deaths which have occurred in each,
i and the sequence in which the disease appeared. Without endorsing the view
' that drinking impure water ia the main vehicle for the dissemination of the Cholera
poison, I feel sufficient has been said and proved that it is at any rate a very
c frequent, and a very mischievous means of propagating the disease. Whether
i from well or river, to which the special poison of the disease has gained access, the